The blog will offer purely objective and candid analyses for a better understanding of the events that keep happening and that provide dynamism and direction to the flow of the history and development of the human societies. Being a forum, the comments and opinions from readers whether for or against the views expressed in it, are gratefully welcome. Suggestions for improving the blog are welcome.

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Urdu Hay Jis Ka Naam

January 24, 2018

By Saeed Qureshi

Muslims in the sub-continent look at Urdu as their language
and an identity symbol for them. From literary point of view, it is at par with
the Persian language. Factually most of the diction and vocabulary of which
Urdu is composed of come from Persian and Arabic. Urdu’s total life so far is
about seven hundred years. It has been advancing from one phase of refinement
to another during all these centuries.

That is why the many words and grammatical formation of
early times are different from the latest script that is now prevalent. Urdu
like its mother tongues namely Arabic, Persian and to some extent Punjabi is
written from right to left. All Latin languages and Indian subcontinent
languages are written from left to right.

But we have to mention another prominent language of the Sub-continent
that is so sacred for Hindus. It is Hindi language. It is interesting to note
that Urdu and Hindi are almost same as far as speaking and vocabulary are
concerned. But when it comes to the style of writing Hindi, it is written from
left to write and in Sanskrit script. In its outwardly form it is akin to all
other languages that are written and spoken from Far East to the borders
between India and Pakistan. Hindi’s fund of words and phrases are derived from
the scared language Sanskrit.

Here is the difference between Urdu and Hindi. But happily,
those who speak only Urdu and those who speak Hindi understand each other. We
may say that a common language was in the making in that even Urdu lovers now
speak some of the words that exclusively belong to either Hindi and Sanskrit’s
the cleavage and gulf that exist because of the different vocabulary is being
bridged gradually.

The early shape of Urdu as has been stated above is
certainly different from what Urdu is now. Same can be said about the
integration of Urdu and Hindi. A time might come when a blend of both these
languages come up, eliminating the difference that we see now. The literature
and its forms of expression seldom remain static. We know that wherever the two
different cultures met, they started influencing each other and in due course
of time a third culture emerged. This is also true in case of Hindus and
Muslims.

By living a thousand years together we now see that the
Muslim have adopted many Hindu customs which we can call as the Indian culture.
The rituals and customs that Muslims observe in case of marriage and several
other social customs are what the Hindus occasionally practice. So here is a
common point that despite the different religions and beliefs brings the
Muslims and Hindus together. Same can happen in case of Urdu and Hindi
languages as far as speaking are concerned although the style of script would
remain the same.

But when we look at the formative history of Urdu we find
that while Muslim writers and poets and literary figures extensively wrote in
Urdu, the Hindu writers gained prominence in this language too. The litany of
such writers and poets is long. On the contrary very few Muslims wrote in Hindi
in the past. But now we can see that in India even Muslim are now writing and
speaking in Hindi and several books and literary works by Muslims have appeared
in Hindi. Muslims in several parts of India have learnt Hindi language
besides Urdu. Hindi being the official language in India has a dominant sway and
therefore the citizens whether Muslims or Hindus have to learn. But the
conservative Muslims still like to prefer using Urdu as the medium of
expression.

But it is expected that the ice would start melting with the
time passage and both the communities would take equal interest in both the
languages. In politics there might be frictions and conflicts but on the
social, cultural and literary fronts, such dividing barriers would give way to
integration and an atmosphere of homogeneity. That would be a glorious day for
the people of India and Pakistan
whether Muslims or Hindus.

There is a need for someone to pick up the cudgel of
collecting and composing literary achievements both in poetry and prose of both
the languages. The Urdu literature can be written in Hindi script and vice
versa Hindi can be written in Urdu script. It should be in fact called a
literary exchange between the two leading languages of the sub-continent. That
effort which would be first of its own kind would go a long way in generating
enormous and abiding good will between the two nations at the same time. That
might ultimately soften the attitude of those hard liners who always remain on
the lookout of throwing spanners into attempts of normalizing relations between
the two neighbors.

In this regard the Mushaira being held in Dallas on May 25,
2008 will be a move towards this welcome direction. The Mushaira is being
attended by both Urdu and Hindi of eminence and good standing from India and Pakistan. That show of cordiality
by literary community of both the countries would be unique and will be always
remembered. It might work as the first giant step towards bringing India and
Pakistan in other fields.

About Me

Columnist/Analyst/ Former Diplomat.
After obtaining my master’s degrees in Urdu and English literature from Punjab University, I started my career by teaching in a college. Thereafter, I had a stint in the diplomatic service of Pakistan. Finally I landed in journalism, an occupation that I am wedded to for over 20 years now.
I am a strong believer in a civil society and staunch opponent of exploitation in all forms.